This Thanksgiving holiday, if you are invited to a dinner, then consider yourself lucky! If you are confused about what to bring to Thanksgiving dinner, then don’t worry; we have got you covered!!
Without a doubt, preparing a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is a very tedious and time-consuming job. Having a full-fledged meal with a big turkey in the middle, a Thanksgiving feast, requires quite an effort and proper planning. As a guest, you must carry something and contribute to the dinner.
Every year, all the close ones come together for this holiday. Whether you celebrate your Thanksgiving meal with your friends or with your family, it doesn’t matter. The important factor is talking to each other, sharing great food, and having a great time.
Whether you want to bring a gift to a Thanksgiving party or just want to send it to your close ones as a thank-you message, this article has got you. Even if you are bone tired, the air of celebration around you just wakes up the enthusiastic person in you. If you are going to dinner, then you must show your appreciation to the host/hostess as they might be working on the planning of the dinner since labour day.
Thanksgiving gifts can range from side dishes which go with the Thanksgiving menu to beautiful presents that will be appreciated by the host. A little something which will show that you are thankful to be invited for dinner, and will surely make them call you again next year.
5 Food-Related Ideas on What to Bring to Thanksgiving Dinner
It is not easy to cook the whole dinner without breaking a sweat. You can help your host/hostess by bringing some food, i.e. side dishes, appetizers, or desserts to go with the main meal. They will make the Thanksgiving dinner table pretty and colourful, along with adding delicious flavours. These varieties of savoury dishes will truly hype up the dinner.
1. Side Dishes
Side dishes bring a twist and amazing flavour to the meal. They can be served with the turkey. It pops up the main course. It is always better to ask the host/hostess for the menu so that you can start cooking or bring some side dishes that will go perfectly with it.
1.1 Mashed Potatoes
Thanksgiving potluck without mashed potatoes is like a Christmas without a Christmas tree. It feels incomplete to have dinner without those soft potatoes to go with it. It is the best side dish to serve with the roasted turkey. So this Thanksgiving, make some soft and creamy mashed potatoes to win everybody’s hearts.
1.2 Sweet Potatoes
If not the mashed potatoes, then go for those delicious sweet potatoes. You can mash them or turn them into sweet potato bites. You can even go for simply boiling them or roasting them and bringing them over to the dinner party.
1.3 Brussels Sprouts
With roast turkey at the focus, a vegetable side dish is best to add some nutritional value. You can make many different side dishes with Brussels sprouts. Either sauteed Brussels sprouts or roasted Brussels sprouts are some options. Adding in some fresh garlic, smoked paprika, and fresh chives can also add to the delicious flavours.
1.4 Cranberry Sauce
Go for the simple staple dish that is cranberry sauce. It is easy to make and is a must-have for the Thanksgiving potluck. You can prepare this sauce at the last minute, just before dinner, as it is a very easy and quick dish. Or if you know that you might be busy on turkey day, then you can make it beforehand and store it up. Quickly then, you can just take it out from the refrigerator and carry it to dinner as a small gift. You can even try a different sauce if not this one.
1.5 Casserole
Casserole dishes are easy, affordable, and can fill in the stomachs of a large population. They can be made from simple ingredients. There are many different types of casserole recipes with different flavours that you can choose from.
As there is already a turkey, you can go for a vegetable casserole like a Sweet potato casserole dish or Brussels sprouts casserole. If you like green beans, then you can also try green bean casserole. If you want a casserole that tiptoes over the line between a casserole and a dessert, then go for a super creamy sweet potato casserole with marshmallows or a cinnamon roll casserole dish.
1.6 Stuffing
You can also make some slow cooker stuffing for the host/hostess. It can make their job easy and will also speed up their preparation for the turkey. Slow cooker sausage stuffing, apple stuffing, classic stuffing, or your special stuffing with a personal recipe, you choose any one of stuffing to prepare and bring to the dinner.
1.7 Cornbread Dressing
Bring in a cornbread dressing for this gathering. The recipe is very easy and can be made with simple ingredients like cornbread, some vegetables, and eggs to make it soft. It can be used as a side dish or can be put up to dress the turkey. Just put it around the turkey, and voila, it’s done!
1.8 Salad
How can we forget salad? With all the meat, some veggies are good. They can add a pop of colour to the dinner. There are thousands of different recipes for salads to choose from. You can make them dry or extra creamy it all depends upon you. You even ask the host/hostess for the Thanksgiving menu and decide on a recipe accordingly.
Salad dressing is also a great food option. Green beans salad, carrot salad, egg salad, etc., are some of the salads that you can try.
2. Appetizers
It takes some time for the whole Thanksgiving feast to cook and come together. Till then, to keep the guests busy and have them something to snack on, appetizers are very important. So why not help the host/hostess and make their work easier by bringing in some appetizers to begin with?
2.1 Cheese
Who doesn’t like a nice side of cheese with their Thanksgiving dinner? They are the best appetizers to serve and start the Thanksgiving potluck with. Help your host/hostess to assemble the perfect cheese board by bringing a variety of cheeses.
You can always go for hard and gritty cheeses like parmesan cheese or cheddar cheese. Cutting them into slices or cubes can make them easy to grab and eat. You can also add soft and tangy goat cheese or even cream cheese.
2.2 Crackers
If you are looking for appetizers, pick sweet and savoury crackers. It can be prepared effortlessly; You can top up those buttery crackers with your favourite toppings like cream cheese, chocolates, or peanuts. Even fruits and jams are great options to try. These crackers work as the best dish among both kids and adults.
2.3 Pumpkin Hummus
If you don’t want to cook, then go for this pumpkin hummus. It is an easy ten-minute dish that can be served with bread. It comes up being a creamy and savoury flavour. You just have to put in the pumpkin, garlic, and some chickpeas. Then blend it to get a creamy consistency. It is a doable recipe.
2.4 Pull-apart Bread
Try bringing some flavorful pull-apart bread this Thanksgiving. They are easy to make and are loved by everyone. Till the turkey gets ready, people can enjoy this food. You can swipe up some bread with cranberry sauce, garlic cheese bread, or some cornbread.
3. Desserts
Every good meal always ends with a nice and delicious dessert. Why not help the host/hostess by bringing in the dessert to the party, so they can be free from that extra duty? You can also get compliments from others as a bonus too. Make the Thanksgiving dinner table pretty and inviting with your desserts!
3.1 Pumpkin Pie
Let’s go for the traditional dessert that is pumpkin pie. This dessert deserves its hype. You can get it from a store or make it at your home. Just get your pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, sugar, and cinnamon ready. You can always top it off with the whipped cream. Look up the recipe if you want.
3.2 Pecan Pie
What about a nice pecan pie? It’s always been an age-old debate on whether pecan pie is the best or pumpkin pie. I think it’s all upon you. Want to take up a pecan pie for dinner, then go for it. You can also ask your host/hostess about their choice and then bring one accordingly. And, of course, don’t forget the whipped cream.
3.3 Chocolate Pie
If you are not a fan of both the pies above, then why not choose a nice and creamy chocolate pie? Kids will surely love that sweet chocolatey flavour. And for adults, this pie goes amazingly with a nice bottle of wine.
3.4 Lemon Tart
Don’t want anything too sweet for the dessert? Try the tangy and creamy lemon tart. When life gives you lemons, make lemon tarts! They are perfect, not too sweet or not too sour.
3.5 Candied Yams with Marshmallows
Pour hot sugar and butter onto the yams and bake them. You’ll get the best dessert to try on Thanksgiving. Top it off with the melted marshmallows, and enjoy!
4. Wine
Don’t forget a nice bottle of wine! Bring in a bottle of wine to accompany the Thanksgiving dinner. It is a kind and common gesture. You can go for red or white wine. Even some champagne and whiskey are good options. If you think that it’s too basic and want to spice it up, then try personalized Thanksgiving wine labels.
5. Breakfast for the Day-after Morning
It’s not that you can only contribute on the day of Thanksgiving. After cooking an elaborate feast, surely, your host/hostess might not want to cook the day after. You can take this opportunity to bring breakfast for them. It can be muffins, some loaves of bread or bagels, etc. If they are coffee lovers, then doubtlessly go ahead and gift some coffee beans. Even pancake mixes are a nice option.
6 Non-Edible Ideas on What to Bring to Thanksgiving Dinner
If you don’t want to give a food item, don’t know cooking, or simply don’t wish to cook, then check out these other options too. Other than side dishes, appetizers, or bottles of wine, other small gifts or some kind of actions can be given as heartfelt gestures too.
1. Flowers/Bouquets
You can add to the aesthetic value of the Thanksgiving dinner by buying some flowers. They can be used to decorate the dinner table. Even the others that have gathered together can enjoy the flowers. If you know your host/hostess’s favourite flower, then you can gift it to them. If not, then you can always ask them or even guess it and give it to them as a surprise works too.
2. Old Traditional Recipes
You can always share your recipes with the host. If it is something that has been in your family for generations and you wish to share it with the host, then you can go ahead and help them. They definitely would be very thankful to you. Thus, You will also end up having your hand in the preparation of the Thanksgiving dinner.
3. Cooking Items
If the host/hostess loves cooking, then you can gift them small cooking appliances. Some options, like an apron or chopping board, too, are amazing. Even some baking appliances are great. If they are coffee lovers, then you can even gift them a coffee maker. Cookbooks are amazing to gift too. It can help them in the future holidays.
4. Conversation Starters
Sometimes Thanksgiving dinners can become silent and awkward. For any successful holiday gathering, a continuous flow of conversation is very important. You can always be ready with some great conversation starters. Sometimes the common ones don’t work. Ready up your conversation starters according to the audience. Generally, topics about sports or gossip work. It can keep the talk going on till the dinner gets ready.
5. Cards
Cards are always useful during any gathering. It helps to keep the party moving and conversations flowing. Kids love them too. The card game can help them to gather in one place and thus makes it easy for the parents to handle them. Adults alike can love these games. Cards like UNO or our normal cards can be brought as entertainment to the Thanksgiving dinner.
6. Other Day-to-Day Gift Items
There is nothing wrong with gifting something common but useful things. Gift your host beneficial day-to-day items like coffee mugs, books, writing supplies or tea-set, bedsheets, coasters, candles, utensils, etc.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is a festival of celebration and enjoyment. It is a time when all of us come together. May it be your family or friends, it is a holiday to sit together and have meals. A time when we appreciate the things that we have. Hoping this article might have helped you in finding the answer to the question of what to bring to a Thanksgiving dinner.
Check out: 9 super easy DIY Thanksgiving decorations.
